15+ Best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

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Welcome to Hanoi, one of my favorite cities in the world. Where ancient traditions seamlessly coexist with modern urban life. It is a city that is rice in both history and culture, offering so much for any traveler who visits. Hanoi offers a plethora of enchanting experiences for travelers to indulge in.

Travelers can get lost in the winding corners of the Old Quarter, admire the architectural diversity with remnants of the French Colonial influence, or delve into the past with a visit to Hanoi’s Temple of Literature.

But most importantly, Hanoi is one of the best food cities in the world! And you can find the best of the best right on the street, including piping hot pho, dry beef noodle salads, or bahn mi sandwiches on the best bread.

Check out my guide to the best restaurants and street food in Hanoi

And if you’re a coffee drinker you’re in luck, with a booming cafe and coffee culture throughout the city. Be sure to try the egg coffee and coconut coffee!

In this article, we’ll dive into my list of the best things to do in Hanoi, to make sure that your trip to Vietnam is one you never forget!

Where is Hanoi?

Hanoi, also spelled Ha Noi, is the capital city of Vietnam, located in the northern part of the country. It is the second largest city in Vietnam, after Ho Chi Minh.

Here is the distance to Hanoi from a few major cities in Vietnam:

• Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) > Hanoi: 2.5 hours by plane
• Da Nang > Hanoi: 1 hour 20 mins by plane
• Ha Giang > Hanoi: 5-7 hours by bus
• Halong Bay > Hanoi: 3-4 hours by bus

Before you dive into the article, here are some popular tours in Hanoi to check out:

Best time to visit Hanoi

The best time to visit Hanoi is between late October and April. This is when you will get the most days with sunshine – as the rainy season is from May to September. in the winter months you can expect cooler temperatures (think light jacket weather) but as you inch closer to the rainy season the temperatures will start to soar. It hovered just under 100 degrees fahrenheit when we were there in early May.

How to get there

There are many international flights that arrive into Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi’s international airport. The airport is located only 40 minutes from the Old Quarter, and a taxi costs around $15 if pre-booked. Uber is not available in Hanoi.

You can reach Hanoi by bus from many nearby cities including Nihn Bihn, Halong Bay, and Ha Giang. While Vietnam does have trains, bus travel is significantly more popular as it tends to be faster. Since Vietnam is such a long country, it is common to travel from South to North (or vice versa) via overnight bus for travelers on a budget.

The best time to visit Hanoi is between late October and April. This is when you will get the most days with sunshine – as the rainy season is from May to September. in the winter months you can expect cooler temperatures (think light jacket weather) but as you inch closer to the rainy season the temperatures will start to soar. It hovered just under 100 degrees fahrenheit when we were there in early May.

To find the cheapest flight options from your city, you can use the search form below:

Where to stay

The tourist area of Hanoi is relatively small and super walkable, which gives you so many options for places to stay. Hotels and Airbnbs in Hanoi are also very reasonable, so even if you are looking for something fancy you shouldn’t need to break the bank.

If you only have a day or two in Hanoi, then I’d recommend staying right in the Old Quarter to be in the action. You’ll have all of Hanoi’s attractions and best food right at your fingertips.

If you have a few more days in the city, then you might want to be slightly removed from the hustle and bustle. We stayed in Ba Đình, about a 15-20 minute walk from the Old Quarter and loved it. It had a lot more local feel, while still being close to everything!

• The Flower Boutique Hotel & Travel
• San Old Quarter Hotel
• Tryst Hotel
• Media Central Hotel & Spa
• San Boutique Hotel
• La Storia Ruby Hotel

Getting around Hanoi

Hanoi is an incredibly walkable city. In the 2 weeks that we spent there we only ever walked, averaging 15k+ steps per day.

If you are looking to visit further destinations then you can order a rideshare car through Grab, as Uber is not available in Hanoi. There are also taxis readily available throughout the city.

Hanoi also has both a metro system and a public bus system for getting around the city and city outskirts.

Things to know before you go

• The summers are hot and humid, the winters are cool. Plan and pack accordingly.
• Hanoi is the city of motorbikes, it is by far the most popular way to get around. Make sure to be careful when crossing the street. It may take some time to do it confidently.
• The local currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND). Equal to about 23,700 VND per US dollar in 2023.
• Tipping is not common practice in Hanoi.
• The city is super safe and solo female travel friendly, but be aware of pickpockets.
• Always check your change. Shop owners and restaurants ofen short change tourists who are unfamiliar with the large currency.

The best things to do in Hanoi, Vietnam

Try the local dishes – Pho Bo, Bun Cha, and more!

The food in Hanoi is some of the best in the world, so obviously it deserves the first spot on this list of the best things to do in Hanoi. I think Vietnam gets a reputation for not having a lot of variety, but there is actually so much to try and enjoy. The rule of thumbs in Hanoi is that the best restaurants typically either 1) only serve one speciality dish or 2) have small plastic chairs lining the sidewalk. If you find one of these two things, you can almost guarantee that the meal you’re about to eat is going to be fantastic.

It’s hard to really go wrong in Hanoi. But here are a few restaurants and street food stalls that you definitely can’t miss:

• Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
• Tuyết Bún Chả 34
• Cháo Sườn Sụn Huyền Anh Đồng Xuân
• Banh Mi Paté
• Bún Bò Nam Bộ

Enjoy the cafe scene in Hanoi

Just like the food scene in Hanoi, it also has a vibrant cafe scene. You can’t walk more than a few steps before coming across one. The coffee and tea in Vietnam is known to be quite sweet, so it often feels almost more like a dessert than a way to get caffeinated for the day. As a tea drinker I learned to love the milk tea. But if you drink coffee then you must try Hanoi’s famous egg coffee or coconut coffee.

My favorite cafe in Hanoi is Annamoi in Ba Đình, but you honestly have hundreds to choose from!

Sip on the cheapest beer in the world – Bia Hoi 

A visit to Hanoi isn’t complete until you try a glass of the cheapest beer in the world – Bia Hoi. This claim may no longer be true, but at 10,000 dong ($0.43) per glass, it sure is cheap! Bia Hoi is a fresh draft beer that is specific to Hanoi. There are a few different spots around the city that serve it, so just plop ‘bia hoi’ into Google Maps to find the location closest to you!

Prices differ slightly from place to place but typically range between 10-14k per glass of draft beer.

Wander the Temple of Literature and Go Kim Chau

Easily my favorite place to visit in Hanoi is the beautiful Temple of Literature. Unlike the other temples that we visited, this one felt much more peaceful. The Temple of Literature dates back to 1070 and was built to honor Confucius and promote Confucian teachings.

Before you leave, make sure to head across the street to Go Kim Chau, a small but beautiful lake.

Cost: 50,000 VND for foreigners

Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Get lost in the Old Quarter 

Hanoi Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Old Streets,” is a historic and vibrant district located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital city.

The Old Quarter of Hanoi is easily one of the most picturesque parts of the city (make sure to bring your camera). This is where the majority of hotels, restaurants, and attractions are, so I’m sure you will spend some time exploring.

But I highly recommend letting yourself just wander and get lost in the small winding roads of this historic neighborhood.

Each street in the Old Quarter has historically been associated with a specific trade or craft, and this tradition continues to some extent today. For example, you can find streets dedicated to jewelry, silk, toys, and more.

Buy fresh produce at the local market

Vietnamese food is cooked with so many fresh veggies and herbs, many of which we don’t use in American cooking. I recommend getting up early and exploring the local market. Here you can buy fresh fruits and veggies, meats and seafood, and even fresh tofu. We tried some fresh tofu that was still warm, and it was easily the best that I’ve ever tried!

Cost: free to visit, make sure to haggle on any purchases

Address: 58 Quoc Tu Giam Street, Van Mieu Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Go thrifting for vintage outfits

Need a break from sightseeing? Head to Hang Buom and check out the Hanoi’s coolest thrift shops. You’ll find many popular American brands like Levi and Carhartt for great prices!

Here are a few thrift stores to add to your itinerary:

• Chan con Công – Vintage Store
• Cua hang bach hoa so 26
• The Twenty Seven Klub Thrift Stire

Visit the famous Train Street

Did you know that you can watch a train pass through a narrow street only inches away?

You can so just that in Hanoi on the famous Train Street!

This street technically closed to the public but you’re still allowed to visit if you go to one of the cafes. Just enter through the cafe to the right of the main entrance. It shouldn’t be hard to find as there is usually a line.

From here they may — or may not — let you move on to other cafes and bars along the road. We visited twice and The rules all felt super arbitrary and everything we saw on the internet told us something different!

During the week most of the trains pass in the evening, but on the weekends you’ll find quite a few trains passing during the day as well.

Address: 3 P. Trần Phú, Hàng Bông, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội 100000, Vietnam

Den Ngoc Son Temple

Den Ngoc Son Temple, or the Temple of the Jade Mountain, one of the most famous and important temples in Hanoi. The temple is located on a small island on Hoan Kiem Lake, accessed by a short red bridge.

The temple’s proximity to Hanoi’s Old Quarter makes it particularly popular with tourists visiting the city.

The temple houses various statues and relics, including a preserved a giant turtle, which is believed to be the descendant of the legendary turtle of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Cost: 30,000 VND for foreign adults

Address: the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake

Grab an ice cream at Kem Trang Tien

Do as the locals do and grab an ice cream from one of the oldest ice cream shops in Hanoi, Kem Trang Tien. With prices ranging from 10-15k, you’ll find a variety of options including ice cream pops and cones. They have some fun flavors like sticky rice and taro, but my favorite is the coconut pop.

Once you have your ice cream, enjoy a nice stroll around the lake. The streets around the lake are closed off to cars on the weekend, making it a popular place to walk and enjoy the city.

Address: Kem Tràng Tiền, Tràng Tiền, Trang Tien, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

Cost: 10-15k VND

Go shopping along Pho Hang Bong 

Although Hoi An steals the title for the ‘tailor city’ in Vietnam, Hanoi is still a great place to shop or get custom clothes made.

In particular, you’ll find lots of clothing made from linen and silk. I snagged two pairs of super comfy and flattering linen pants for $13 each. As a full time traveler I wear these pants almost every single day!

Visit Tran Quoc Pagoda

Tran Quoc Pagoda, also known as Chua Tran Quoc, is one of the oldest (over 1,500 years old) and most prominent Buddhist pagodas in Hanoi, Vietnam.

It is located on a small island in the West Lake area, a short distance from the city center.

The location of Tran Quoc Pagoda makes it a super enjoyable activity, since it is removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, with panoramic views of the lake and city skyline. On a clear day I recommend visiting at sunset.

Address: Thanh Nien Road, Yen Phu ward, Tay Ho District, Hanoi

Cost: free

Visit the lakes – Hoan Kiem and Ho Truc Bach

One of the best (free) things to do in Hanoi is to enjoy the culture and ambiance around its two main lakes – Hoan Kiem and Ho Truc Bach.

On the weekends the streets around Hoan Kiem are closed off to cars, and used as a walking street. This is an amazing opportunity to grab an ice cream and soak up Hanoi’s culture.

Around Ho Truc Bach you’ll find some Bia Hoi spots, as well as a craft brewery. Both of these offer the opportunity to see the sun set over the lake on a clear day.

Explore the colorful streets of Truc Bach

We stumbled upon this street on our way to Truc Bach for dinner and I absolutely fell in love. Located about 3.5km northwest of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Truc Bach is much quieter and more residential, and therefore much less touristy.

This street is located along the water, with brightly colored homes. It is the perfect place for an evening stroll to avoid the crowds.

I recommend walking here from the city center in the late afternoon to enjoy this colorful, peaceful street. From here you can grab a bia hoi along the water with a sunset view and then enjoy the famous pho cuon for dinner!

Address: Trúc Bạch road

Visit the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long

The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, also known as the Hanoi Citadel, is a historical and cultural complex located in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. It served as the political and cultural center of ancient Vietnamese dynasties for over a thousand years and holds immense significance in the country’s history.

In 2010 it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The extensive archeological excavations have led to some incredible discoveries, giving us a better insight into the past.

Address: 19C Hoang Dieu Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Cost: 30,000 VND

Wander the Hanoi Heritage House

The Hanoi Heritage House is a great stop in the center of the Old Town to learn about the traditional houses in the area. The Ma May Ancient House dates back to the 19th century. The house is constructed in the traditional “tube house” layout.

You don’t need too much time to explore, but I definitely recommend stopping by while in the Old Quarter. It is also a great activity to do to get out of the heat for a bit on a hot day.

Address: Heritage House, Phố Mã Mây, Old Quarter, Hàng Buồm, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

Cost: 10,000 VND

Learn more at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Stilt House

The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Stilt House are two important landmarks located in the Ba Dinh Square area of Hanoi. Both sites are dedicated to the memory of Ho Chi Minh, the revolutionary leader and founding father of modern Vietnam.

The Stilt House (pictured below) is located next to the Mausoleum. This traditional wooden house was where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his death in 1969. He chose to live in a simple stilt house to demonstrate his commitment to a frugal and modest lifestyle, despite holding the highest office in the country.

It is very important that you cover up. You will need to have both your shoulders and knees covered in order to enter the premise. I recommend a maxi dress or some lightweight pants and a t-shirt. This is a way of showing respect.

Cost: 40,000 VND for the museum, 40,000 for the stilt house

Take a cooking class

One thing I try to do in any city that I visit is take a cooking class. Enjoying local food is a huge part of traveling for me, and I always learn so much when taking a cooking class. We booked a class which lasted 4.5 hours and included a tour of the local market cost $40 per person. From my research this seems to be the standard for cooking classes in the Hanoi.

Book a cooking class here

Best restaurants in Hanoi

Picking the best restaurants in Hanoi is near impossible because there is simply so much good food. We were eating so many meals a day simply because we wanted to try it all! As a rule of thumb, the best restaurants tend to fit into one (or more) of the three buckets:

• crowded – ideally with locals
• only serves one specialty item on the menu
• has tiny plastic chairs

If it meets those requirements, it is sure to be a good meal. Here are a few of my must try restaurants if you’re short on time:

• Phở Gia Truyền Bát Đàn
• Tuyết Bún Chả 34
• Cháo Sườn Sụn Huyền Anh Đồng Xuân
• Banh Mi Paté
• Bún Bò Nam Bộ

For a more comprehensive list you can check out my complete Hanoi Food Guide.

What to pack

Packing for a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam depends greatly on the time of year that you are visiting. Overall Hanoi is not super conservative, so it is fine to wear short dresses or shorts. If you are visiting any temples, however it is important make sure both your shoulders and knees are covered, especially as a woman!

Most of the year Hanoi is pretty warm, so you shouldn’t need to pack anything too special. However, if you’re visiting in the winter, you’ll want to pack a sweatshirt or light jacket as it can get a bit chilly.

Here are a few of my must-pack items for any trip to Vietnam:

Travel sandals – you’re going to be walking a lot! So a few of comfy lightweight travel sandals are a must. I personally love my Teva sandals, and wear them most days when traveling.

Check out my favorite travel sandals

Light jacket – if you’re traveling to Hanoi in the winter months then you’re going to want a light jacket. I love my NanoAir from Patagonia. It is lightweight but warm, and packs up super small for when you don’t need it!

My favorite travel jacket

Lightweight clothing: assuming you’re planning to visiting Hanoi in the spring or summer, it is going to be hot. Be sure to pack lightweight, breathable clothes.

Travel tank top – maybe i’m just a creature of habit, but I have the same tank top in three colors and I travel full time with all of them. They are cute, comfy and versatile! The ultimate travel tank top in my opinion.

My favorite travel tank tops

Visiting Vietnam? Here are some other articles to check out:

• Hanoi Food Guide: Best Restaurants and Street Food

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